60-hour training to be made mandatory for driving licences: Adviser Fouzul
“We all know the real reasons behind road accidents and traffic congestion. The main reason is that many drivers are not properly trained. To make roads safer and free from congestion, we need trained drivers," says the adviser.
From now on, applicants for driving licences will be required to complete 60 hours of training from approved driving schools, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the ministries of road transport and bridges, and railways, announced on Wednesday (22 October).
Bite-Sized: Why must drivers complete 60 hours of training to get a licence now?
Speaking at a discussion marking National Road Safety Day 2025 at Tejgaon in Dhaka, he said, "We will arrange this training. When you [drivers] take the training, we will also provide you with a training allowance."
This year marks the ninth observance of National Road Safety Day, held under the theme "Quality helmets and safe speed reduce loss of lives and property."
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Fouzul said the government is set to overhaul the entire driving licence process, making professional training the foundation of eligibility.
"We all know the real reasons behind road accidents and traffic congestion," he said. "The main reason is that many drivers are not properly trained. To make roads safer and free from congestion, we need trained drivers."
"We are changing the licensing system completely. The current committee that issues driving licences will be dissolved. From now on, like in other countries, the first and foremost requirement for obtaining a licence will be to complete 60 hours of training," he added.
The adviser also outlined plans to transform the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) into a service-oriented organisation, rather than a regulatory body.
"We want to transfer most of BRTA's functions to driving institutes," he said. "As a result, BRTA's regulatory authority will no longer remain as it is."
Citing the growing number of motorcycle accidents, the adviser said, "As motorcycle use increases, so does the number of accidents and deaths. We need to ensure greater use of helmets.
"In areas where road construction is ongoing and passengers are facing difficulties, we will distribute 10,000 helmets. We hope this will raise awareness and reduce accidents and fatalities."
Fouzul further said, "Road accidents are a major failure for us. The number is quite high – on average, 15 road accidents occur in Bangladesh every day, claiming around 27 lives. This is a grim statistic, and we cannot allow it to continue."
"When the main breadwinner of a family dies in an accident, the entire family is devastated. That's why the Road Transport Act includes a provision for Tk5 lakh in compensation to victims' families. But in many cases, they don't receive it.
"We have instructed BRTA to set a target to ensure that a certain percentage of affected families receive this support within a specific timeframe," he added.
National Road Safety Day observance
The main national programme began with a rally from Hatirjheel to the Roads and Highways Department building, followed by a discussion at the department's auditorium.
At the event, 16 professional drivers selected by BRTA were awarded certificates recognising their safe driving performance.
Similar rallies, discussions, and awareness programmes were held in all districts and upazilas under the leadership of deputy commissioners and upazila executive officers.
Over the next month, awareness activities on road safety will be held in 10 educational institutions in Dhaka and 5 in district towns. The institutions include at least one boys' school and college, one girls' school and college, and one madrasa in each area, particularly those near high-risk roads.
A week-long health check-up programme for professional drivers has also been launched, alongside the distribution of 10,000 helmets to motorcycle riders in accident-prone districts.
